Tayasir, Hamra, Thursday, March 30, 2006, PMObservers and reporters: Anina K, Yehudit H, Riki Y, Revital S.13:40 – 15:40HamraUpon our arrival it was immediately obvious that there were more soldiers than usual. Almost all the time a security vehicle, either patrol jeep or civilian police, circulated in the area.The checkpoint commander invited us to look at the crater caused by the detonation of an explosive belt that was found yesterday. The size of the crater and the too-clean bolts that were seemingly in the bomb raised certain questions, but we abstained [from asking].All the while a detainee was sitting on the ground close to the place where the carousel area was being erected. The story was that he had remained in the field after the five shepherds who had been with him left, and a patrol caught him in the hamam next to Tayasir checkpoint. He did not have the appropriate papers for someone who is not a local resident. According to him, the papers were in the hands of one of the five shepherds, because they were employed as a group. A District Coordination Office representative arrived – the only person in uniform who spoke Arabic – and we heard the explanation from him. One of the soldiers said that he would remain there one more hour – “so that he will know next time…” Another soldier said he was detained until his details could be checked. After a while his ID was returned to him and he was sent on his way. Apparently he had been “approved” by phone.The atmosphere at the checkpoint was tranquil, without any of the nervousness one expects the day after the defusing of a terror incident. There was even a feeling of excessive ease in the transit. At least in one case they did not take the passengers out of a car for the routine inspection because there was a sleeping baby and they didn’t want to wake him. A truck driver with a load of straw was asked to raise his shirt. The straw was not checked, and the truck was allowed through without delay.Tayasir The situation was similar – easy passage and less thorough inspection than usual. The passengers in cars were not called out in every case, and there were no delays. The longest line was of four cars. Larger vehicles, carrying workers, did have to disgorge the passengers, who lined up by threes.When we left, at 15:40, one of the drivers assured us that today was easier – both morning and afternoon. As usual, it was not clear what determines this, and there is never any linkage between expectations and reality at the checkpoint – or the news.